Chicago became the birthplace of something remarkable on August 18th, 1919, when the Anti-Cigarette League was officially established in Illinois's largest city — a pivotal moment in the broader campaign against smoking. The league was the brainchild of Lucy Page Gaston, who had actually planted the seeds for this movement nearly 30 years earlier in 1890 before formally debuting the advocacy group. What drove her crusade? A firm conviction that smoking and alcohol abuse were strongly correlated, which fueled her push to ban both cigarettes and smoking in public places. Her message clearly resonated — within ten years of the first chapter launching, membership had swelled to over 300,000 people, underscoring just how deeply the league's mission struck a chord.

Fun facts

  • Lucy Page Gaston founded the Anti-Cigarette League, which got its start back in 1890.
  • Public health was at the heart of the advocacy group's work, with its primary goal being the passage of anti-smoking laws and legislation.
  • Beyond her role with the league, Lucy Page Gaston wore many hats — she was both a teacher and a writer, and she held membership in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
  • Following its official establishment in 1919, the Anti-Cigarette League quickly attracted over 300,000 members, making it a remarkable success story. Yet the movement eventually found itself overshadowed by the nation's growing focus on combating alcohol consumption, though this hardly diminishes the league's significant impact and achievements.
  • Born on May 19, 1860, Lucy Page Gaston passed away in 1924 at the age of 63 or 64.
  • Here's a personal detail worth noting: Lucy's birth name actually included the middle name Jane, but she later changed it to Page as a tribute to her mother, reflecting the deep respect and admiration she held for her.
  • In a curious twist, the Anti-Cigarette League directed more of its opposition toward the cigarette as a product than toward the tobacco used in its manufacture.
  • At its peak, the Anti-Cigarette League boasted a membership of 300,000.